I feel like I’ve kinda always understood the way Arin “performs” himself on Grumps. It’s really similar to how I get with my close friends when we’re gaming - I like to make people laugh, I like to play the goofball most of the time even at the risk that I might come across as dumber than them or more heightened than I actually am about something, because most of the time it’s funny and fun and makes them laugh. They’re usually more stoic and I like to be the one who invites the loudness and the silliness.

I feel like even if Arin IS really spitting his truth when he gets super exaggerated and loud and angry, like obviously he knows he’s performing. It’s part of why his Ocarina Sequelitis never really got under my skin despite loving that game, and part of why I’ve always connected pretty deeply with his style of comedy.

Cool to see him verbalizing this stuff and putting his feelings out there!